Paper feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A paper feeding apparatus including a pick mechanism sending out in turn paper mounted on a shooter; a paper guide provided in the paper feeding passage of the paper; a feed roller feeding the paper sent out of the pick mechanism along the paper guide to the image reading position; and a discharge roller discharging the paper. A material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached on the image reading side of the paper guide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese patent application Serial no. 2000-282866 filed Sep. 19, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a paper feeding apparatus, and more particularly, relates to a paper feeding apparatus wherein it is possible to prevent an injury onto a medium surface (reading surface) at a paper feeding time in a image reading device (scanner) or the like.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventionally, for example, in a image reading device, in the case where a lot of scripts are automatically carried and read, there is an automatic paper feeding device (ADF). The automatic paper feeding device comprises: a pick mechanism which moves a plurality of sheets of paper mounted on a shooter to a specified preparing position; a separating mechanism which takes in the sheets of paper put at the preparing position one by one; and a feed mechanism which has a feed roller and a discharge roller for carrying the paper.

[0006]FIG. 7 is an explanation drawing of a conventional embodiment. In FIG. 7, the device on an upper side of the paper feeding passage of the image reading device is removed. At this paper feeding passage on a lower side, a pick roller 1, a driven roller 24, a reading position 16, a paper guide 17, and a discharge roller 23 are provided. Furthermore, a script is mounted on a shooter 13 to which left and right guides 15 are provided, in the state where the reading surface is on the rear side.

[0007] The scripts mounted on the shooter 13 are sent to the driven roller 24 (resin roller made of polyacetals or the like) of the feed roller one by one by the pick roller 1, and are discharged by the discharge roller 23 through the reading position 16 from this driven roller 24. The shooter 13, the paper guide 17, and the driven roller 24 with which the reading surface of the script paper comes into contact have been made of resin or a sheet metal.

[0008] In the case of the above described conventional embodiment, the shooter, the paper guide, and the roller with which the reading surface of the paper comes into contact are made of resin or a sheet metal, and therefore, in the case where a photograph printed on a photographic printing paper or the like is read, the photographic surface has often been injured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to solve such conventional problems, and to prevent the injury onto the photographic surface, by attaching a material which is softer than the photographic surface and hardly raises dusts on the side with which the paper reading surface comes into contact.

[0010] The paper feeding apparatus of the present invention includes a pick mechanism for sending out the sheets of paper mounted on a shooter in turn; a paper guide provided in the paper feeding passage of the paper; a feed roller for feeding the paper sent out of the above described pick mechanism along the above described paper guide to the image reading position; and a discharge roller for discharging the paper, and a material softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to the image reading side of the above described paper guide. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper such as a photograph printed on a photographic printing paper.

[0011] Furthermore, in the case of the paper feeding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the above described attached soft material is provided only on the upstream side of the paper feeding passage, and that on the downstream side, the material is not attached to the above described paper guide. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the replacement of the material softer than the reading surface of the paper.

[0012] Furthermore, in the case of the paper feeding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a material softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to the above described shooter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper caused by the shooter.

[0013] Furthermore, in the case of the paper feeding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that each roller which comes into contact with the reading surface of the above described paper is a rubber roller. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper caused by each roller.

[0014] Furthermore, in the case of the paper feeding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the material which is softer than the reading surface of the above described paper is cloth, and the above described cloth is attached with an intervenient sheet. Consequently, it is possible to improve the stability of size of the cloth with elastic property by using a sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an outside drawing of a image reading device in the preferred embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a main part explanation drawing of the image reading device in the preferred embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a main part explanation drawing showing a driving system of a paper carrying in the preferred embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 4 is an explanation drawing of a paper feeding passage on a lower side in the preferred embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 5 is an explanation drawing of a cloth attachment in the preferred embodiment.

[0020]FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are explanation drawings of the cloth attachment where a replacement is easy in the preferred embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 7 is an explanation drawing of a conventional embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Outline of Paper Feeding Apparatus of Present Invention

[0022] The paper feeding apparatus of the present invention will briefly be described by referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6.

[0023] The paper feeding apparatus of the present invention comprises a pick mechanism for sending out the sheets of paper mounted on a shooter 13 in turn; a paper guide provided in a paper feeding passage of the paper; a feed roller for feeding the paper sent out of the above described pick mechanism along the above described paper guide to a image reading position 16; and a discharge roller 23 for discharging the paper, and a material 30 which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to the image reading side of the above described paper guide.

[0024] Furthermore, in the above described paper feeding apparatus, the above described attached soft material 30 is provided only on the upstream side of the paper feeding passage, and on the downstream side, it is not attached to the above described paper guide. As the soft material 30, a material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to the above described shooter 13. The above described material 30 which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is cloth, and the above described cloth is attached with an intervenient sheet.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above described paper feeding apparatus, each of rollers 23, 24 which come into contact with the reading surface of the above described paper is a rubber roller.

Explanation of Outline of the Image Reading Device

[0026]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are an outside drawing and a main part explanation drawing of the image reading device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the image reading device includes a shooter 13 to which the script that is an object to be read is set at the upper part, and a paper feeding apparatus in the interior, respectively. The paper feeding apparatus includes a pick mechanism for moving a plurality of sheets of paper (scripts) 21 mounted on the shooter 13 to a specified preparing position, a separating mechanism for taking in the sheets of paper put on the preparing position one by one, and a feed mechanism having a feed roller 11 and a discharge roller 23 for carrying the paper.

[0027] Furthermore, between the pick roller 1 and the discharge roller 23, a guide 17 of the paper is provided. To the surface of this guide 17 and the part with which the reading surface of the script mounted on the shooter 13 comes into contact, a material which is softer than the reading surface and hardly raises dusts, for example, cloth 30 (shown by the two-dot chain line) or the like is attached. Furthermore, the arrow between the feed roller 11 and the discharge roller 23 shows the reading position 16 of the image.

[0028] The pick mechanism is formed near the paper supply port of the shooter 13, and takes out a plurality of scripts 21 (including the paper or the like having characters, figures, marks or the like) mounted on the shooter 13, from the lower side in turn by using the pick roller 1 and the pick arm 4, and moves the paper to a specified preparing position.

[0029] The separating mechanism takes in the sheets of paper put on the preparing position one by one by using the separating pad 3 which comes into sliding contact with the pick roller 1.

[0030] The feed mechanism supplies the paper to the reading position 16 by using the feed roller 11, and discharges the paper by using the discharge roller 23.

Explanation of Driving System of Paper Carrying

[0031]FIG. 3 is a main part explanation drawing showing the driving system of the paper carrying in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the paper carrying motor 6 drives the pick roller 1, the feed roller 11, and the discharge roller 23 with a train of gears to perform the carrying of the paper. Furthermore, the pick roller driving gear 20 for driving the pick roller 1 has a one-way clutch, and is formed to rotate only in a counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, a driven roller 24 is provided corresponding to each of the feed roller 11 and the discharge roller 23.

[0032] The pick arm driving gear 8 has a rotary pivot, and connects the pick arm 4. A planetary gear 5 is rotatably connected to a planetary gear frame 26 to be engaged with the pick arm driving gear 8. Furthermore, the planetary gear 5 is composed to be driven through a train of gears by the rotation of the feed roller 11. Furthermore, a planetary gear frame stopper 27 regulates the rotational range of the planetary gear frame 26.

[0033] In the driving of the pick arm 4, when the pick arm 4 is positioned at the lower position, and is held at the paper feeding time position, the planetary gear 5 is separated from the pick arm driving gear 8 by the positive rotation of the motor 6 to position the pick arm 4 at the lower position. On the other hand, when the pick arm 4 is positioned at the upper position, and is held at the waiting time position, the planetary gear 5 is engaged with the pick arm driving gear 8 by the reverse rotation of the motor 6 to position the pick arm 4 at the upper position.

[0034] A pick arm state detecting sensor 7 detects the pick arm 4 which is positioned at the upper position in the state where the planetary gear 5 is engaged with the pick arm driving gear 8 by the reverse rotation of the motor 6. Thereby, when the pick arm 4 is positioned at the upper position, the motor 6 is reversed until the pick arm state detecting sensor 7 sends a signal of detecting the pick arm 4 to move the pick arm 4 to the upper position.

[0035] A detecting sensor 10 of the paper on the shooter is packaged in such a positional relation where it remains OFF even if the script 21 is set on the shooter 13 in the state where the pick arm 4 is positioned at the lower position, and it is turned ON in the case where the script 21 is set on the shooter 13 in the state where the pick arm 4 is positioned at the upper position. Thereby, in the action of positioning the pick arm 4 at the upper position in the initialization or the resetting of the device, in the state where the detecting sensor 10 of the paper on the shooter sends a signal of detecting the existence of the paper, it is arranged that the action of positioning the pick arm 4 at the upper position is not performed.

[0036] A paper sensor 12 between the pick and feed detects the existence of the paper between the pick roller 1 and the feed roller 11 of the paper supply passage. Thereby, in the case where the paper sensor 12 between the pick and feed sends a signal of detecting no paper, that is, in the case where no paper is picked, it is arranged that the reverse and positive rotational actions of the motor 6 are repeated to move the tip of the pick arm 4 up and down, and the paper mounted on the shooter 13 is hit.

[0037] A detecting sensor 25 of the tip and rear end of the paper detects the tip and rear end of the paper. Thereby, the tip of the paper is detected by the detecting sensor 25 of the tip and rear end of the paper, and by a signal of this detecting sensor 25 of the tip and rear end of the paper, the reading of the paper (script 21) is started. Then, when the detecting sensor 25 of the tip and rear end of the paper detects the rear end of the paper, the reading is finished, and by the discharge roller 23, the paper is discharged to a stacker which is not shown in the drawing or the exterior of the device.

[0038] Furthermore, in the shooter 13, a step 14 is formed, which is inclined in the paper entering direction in such a way where the height near the paper supply port is one stage. Furthermore, the paper separating pad 3 comes into sliding contact with the pick roller 1 to take in the scripts 21 one by one.

Explanation of Paper Feeding Passage

[0039]FIG. 4 is an explanation drawing of the paper feeding passage on the lower side of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a pick roller, and reference numeral 13 denotes a shooter, and reference numeral 16 denotes a reading position, and reference numeral 23 denotes a discharge roller, and reference numeral 24 denotes a driven roller, and reference numeral 30 denotes cloth (material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper).

[0040]FIG. 4 is an explanation drawing of the paper feeding passage on the lower side in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the device on the upper side of the paper feeding passage of the image reading device is removed. In the paper feeding passage on the lower side, a pick roller 1, a driven roller 24 of the feed roller, a reading position 16, a discharge roller 23, and cloth 30 are provided. Furthermore, the script is mounted on the shooter 13 to which left and right guides 15 are provided, in the state where the reading surface is on the rear side.

[0041] The scripts mounted on the shooter 13 are sent to the driven roller 24 (rubber roller) of the feed roller one by one by the pick roller 1, and are discharged by the discharge roller 23 (rubber roller) through the reading position 16 (glass surface) from the driven roller 24. To the shooter 13 and the paper guide of the paper feeding passage with which the reading surface of the paper comes into contact, cloth 30 is attached for preventing the injury onto the surface of the script to be read.

[0042] Furthermore, the cloth 30 is attached on the part except for the paper sensor 12 between the pick and feed, and the detecting sensor 25 of the tip and rear end of the paper. Furthermore, the material of the driven roller 24 and the discharge roller 23 is rubber such as urethane rubber for preventing the injury onto the surface of the script to be read.

Explanation of Cloth Attachment

[0043]FIG. 5 is an explanation drawing of the cloth attachment. When the cloth 30 is attached to the paper guide 17 or the shooter part of the passage part where the reading surface of the script such as a photograph comes, if the cloth 30 is merely used, the size stability is insufficient because of the expansion and contraction, and therefore, the problem is solved by attaching a sheet material with no elasticity such as a polyester film to the rear surface of the cloth 30.

[0044] In FIG. 5, the cloth 30 is adhered to a polyester film 31 with a double coated tape. This cloth 30 to which the polyester film 31 is attached is further attached to the paper guide 17 or the shooter part of the passage part where the reading surface of the script comes, with a double coated tape or the like.

[0045] Furthermore, in FIG. 5, a stamped cloth 30 and a polyester film 31 are adhered, but actually, first, a wide cloth 30 and a polyester film 31 are adhered, and after that, the stamping is performed. Furthermore, as the cloth 30, a non woven fabric, for example, SAVINA MINIMAX made by Kanebo, Ltd. can be used, and as the sheet material with no elasticity, ABS or polystyrene can be used.

Explanation of Replacement of Cloth

[0046] There are some cases where it is necessary to replace the attached cloth as a consumable part, and it is necessary to make the replacement easy. Therefore, it is also possible to make a state where the cloth is attached only to the paper guide on the upstream side of the paper passage, and is not adhered on the downstream side. At the time of the replacement of the cloth, the replacement of the cloth can easily be performed by holding and peeling this part where the adhering is not performed.

[0047]FIG. 6 is an explanation drawing of the cloth attachment in the case where the replacement is easy. In FIG. 6, FIG. 6A is an explanation drawing of the pick part before the cloth is attached, and near the center of the paper guide 17 of the pick part, the pick roller 1 is shown.

[0048]FIG. 6B is an explanation drawing of the pick part where the cloth has been attached, and the cloth 30 is attached with double coated adhesives or the like only to the paper guide 17 of the pick part, and is not adhered on the downstream side (feed roller side).

[0049] Furthermore, in the case of the above described embodiment, a non woven fabric has been described as a material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper and hardly raises dusts, but it is also possible to use another material such as a raising material.

[0050] As described above, according to the present invention, there are the following effects.

[0051] The material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached on the image reading side of the paper guide, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper such as a photograph.

[0052] Furthermore, the attached soft material is attached only to the upstream side of the paper feeding passage, and is not attached to the paper guide on the downstream side, and therefore, the replacement of the material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper can easily be performed.

[0053] Furthermore, the material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to the shooter, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper because of the shooter.

[0054] Furthermore, each roller which comes into contact with the reading surface of the paper is a rubber roller, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the injury onto the reading surface of the paper because of each roller.

[0055] Furthermore, the material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is cloth, and the above described cloth is attached with an intervenient sheet, and therefore, it is possible to improve the size stability of the cloth with elasticity by the sheet. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper feeding apparatus comprising: a pick mechanism sending out in turn paper mounted on a shooter; a paper guide provided in a paper feeding passage of the paper; a feed roller feeding the paper sent out of said pick mechanism along said paper guide to an image reading position; and a discharge roller discharging the paper, wherein a material which is softer than a reading surface of the paper is attached on a image reading side of said paper guide.
 2. A paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attached soft material is provided only on an upstream side of said paper feeding passage, and is not attached to said paper guide on a downstream side.
 3. A paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material which is softer than the reading surface of the paper is attached to said shooter.
 4. A paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each roller which comes into contact with the reading surface of said paper is a rubber roller.
 5. A paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material which is softer than the reading surface of said paper is cloth, and said cloth is attached with an intervenient sheet. 